Young Lions captain Jere Lassila wants to win. According to Niklas Koko, it would be good for the small Juniors to follow Lassila’s example.
GOTHENBURG.
– Great guy. He has always been the captain in my age group and he has deserved it. It’s not for nothing that he is called JP Hytös in the booth. Helkkar’s tough guy, humble and really good at playing.
This is how the goalkeeper who saved the Young Lions in the medal games describes Niklas Kokko Finnish captain Jere Lassilaa.
In his answer, he referred to the long-time captain of JYP Juha-Pekka to Hytösen, who is very similar to Lassila in player type. Lassila currently represents JYP in the SM league.
– I believe that (Lassila) has a really good future ahead of him. He is a good leader.
As earlier in the tournament, Lassila emerged again. He won the game in overtime and also had one assist I flew to Hämeenahon hit thanks to his struggle.
Head coach of the Young Lions Lauri Mikkola highlighted the importance of Lassila himself in an interview with Urheilu.
– Yes, that ending was a rollercoaster of emotions even in Koutci. I am immensely proud of that team. The team has a really great leader, the captain, who showed the direction today, Mikkola said.
Also Kasper Halttunen effusively praised the team captain.
– It showed that he is a pretty tough hockey player. Push your feet into motion. Up front, one of the best players in the tournament and still scores. Great guy, that’s all I can say, Halttunen sculpted.
According to Halttunen, against Slovakia it was seen how Lassila struggles “through everything”.
– At no point does the expression waver. He is a really tough and strong person. You can tell that he wants to win, specifically with this team and as a team.
The Finnish tournament started weakly with two losses, but after that Lassila rose to prominence.
Against Latvia, the captain looked forward and scored 1+3. Against Sweden, he threw himself into the path of the puck in his own area and blocked the home team’s decisive shot. That’s when Finland rose to the levels and won.
Against Slovakia, he finally hit the game-winner.
– He has stood up and shown leadership. He always comes up in tight spots. It’s really great to play with him, chain friend Lenni Hämeenaho says.
Hämeenaho describes Lassila as a great leader who also has a good sense of humor. He leads especially on the field, but is also vocal in the dressing room.
– He talks, pumps and smacks friends. He is loud and last but not least a teammate. He takes everyone into account and is a captain with a capital C, Oiva Keskinen says.
Kokko praises how Lassila plays well overall. He doesn’t get carried away and is also able to produce results.
– He talks in the booth, pumps up the team and makes the guy better. I feel that the leading players are all really interested in this team. Sure, others too, but they want to get the most out of everyone.
According to Koko, Lassila is a player that not only the Finnish team but also everyone else should follow as a model.
– It’s a good example for all juniors to follow, what winning means to Jere. You can never give up. He’s an absolutely amazing guy.
– The journey is still at the beginning. Let’s hope that Jere does more similar feats. I believe in it, Kokko decides.
This is how Jere Lassila commented on the Young Lions entering the medal games.
Urheilu closely follows the under-20 hockey world championships in the application and on its website. Moods are also conveyed on Urheilurutu and Urheiluradio. The match program can be found here.